Assumptions by Pete Wilson : Assumptions are the silent deadly bombs that do nothing but destroy healthy relationships. An assumption is one person’s IDEA of what someone else is thinking, feeling or doing.

Even A Great Husband Makes A Very Poor God by Lysa Terkeurst : To expect another person to make you feel happy, secure, and fulfilled will leave you disappointed at best and disillusioned at worst. Even a great husband makes a very poor God. Only God can settle those deep heart-needs. A man can never do this.

The Little Girls Tattoo by Jon Acuff : What I’ve learned over the years is that an experience can’t change that. My relation to God is not a simple little mark. It is not a big tattoo or a little sticker; it is who I am. I cannot completely cover that up or blot it out with failure. The prodigal son tries, he completely messes up his life. But, more importantly, he shows how sometimes the worst marks are the ones we give ourselves. “I’m a bad husband. I’m a terrible employee. I’m ugly.”

Despite the pigpen and the prostitutes, the dirt and the deception, the father doesn’t see a hired man.

He sees a son.

He sees his child.

And that changes everything.

So About Soulmates by JS Park : While I don’t want to get caught in the crossfire of predestination and free-will, I believe God knows the person we’re going to end up with (God would know because He’s God) but He also lets us choose this with active determination and participation in His Story (God would allow this because He’s God). How these two fit together: I don’t know. My three lb. brain is allergic to paradoxes.

1. Apart from the new birth, we are dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1-2). 2. Apart from the new birth, we are by nature children of wrath (Ephesians 2:3). 3. Apart from the new birth, we love darkness and hate the light (John 3:19-20). 4. Apart from the new birth, our hearts are hard like stone (Ezekiel 36:26; Ephesians 4:18). 5. Apart from the new birth, we are unable to submit to God or please God (Romans 8:7-8).

There’s No Way – Proverbs 31 Women by Lysa Terkeurst : Dear Lord, thank You for reminding me that You are the only true way. Help me to see this every day as the circumstances of life surround and sometimes overwhelm me. I desperately need Your help as I learn to say “yes” to Your calling on my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Hope that even today’s rain can somehow how become tomorrow’s flowers.

3 Ways To Become A Better Listener by Pastors.com : No idea is truly communicated if the person being spoken to is not listening. Listening is hard work and needs to be practiced. Being a good listener is one of the most important skills you can master if you want to advance your career and build meaningful relationships. Whether you’re an employee, employer, husband, wife, father, mother, or friend, when you truly listen, you demonstrate your interest in what is being said, and you show respect for the individual saying it. Listening is a magnetic force that draws people to us.

A ministry momentum killer by Steven Furtick : Make sure your private devotion keeps pace with your ministry momentum. Your relationship with God is only as strong as your most recent encounter with Him.